Sailboat canopy apparatus

ABSTRACT

In a sailboat which has an interior cabin with an access opening being provided through the wall structure of the sailboat into the cabin, a canopy adapted to cover in a water-tight manner the upper portion of the access opening, the canopy being pivotally connected to the cabin wall structure with the canopy being movable between a closed position covering the upper portion of the access opening to an open position spaced upward and forward from the access opening, the canopy to contact the main mast of the sailboat, a fastener means connected between the canopy and the mast to retain the canopy in the opened position.

United States Patent 1191 Butler Apr. 23, 1974 SAILBOAT CANOPY APPARATUS [76] Inventor: Frank W. Butler, 3807 Weatherly Cir., Westlake Village, Calif. 91324 [22] Filed: Oct. 24, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 299,690

435,641 9/1925 Germany 114/71 Primary Examiner-Trygve M. Blix Assistant Examiner-Stuart M. Goldstein Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Robert E. Geauque [57] ABSTRACT In a sailboat which has an interior cabin with an access opening being provided through the wall structure of the sailboat into the cabin, a canopy adapted to cover in a water-tight manner the upper portion of the access opening, the canopy being pivotally con- [56] References Cited nected to the cabin wall structure with the canopy UN TE S ES PATENTS being movable between a closed position covering the 2,280,729 4/1942 Sutton 114/71 Portion of the access opening to Open PO51 3,376,586 4/1968 Forsyth et al..... 114/71 Spaced upward and forward from the access 2,780,197 2/1957 Von Tell 114 202 openmg, the py to Contact the main mast 0f the 257091 1 10 1951 Birdlebough 9 R sailboat, a fastener means connected between the can- 3,165,762 l/1965 Hage 114/71 opy and the mast to retain the canopy in the opened FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,374,486 10/1962 France 114/71 6 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEmPaza m4 3805724 SHEET 2 OF 2 Fig. 4. 3 ,4'5 28 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Within smaller sized sailboats which have an interior cabin, the access opening to the cabin must be capable of being tightly closed during rough weather situations in order to keep the water from entering the cabin. It is desired that this access opening be maintained as small as possible. However, when the access opening is open, it is desired that easy movement it provided through the access opening.

The normal type of small sailboat employs a simple hatch cover which is adapted to cover the upper portion of the access opening and be slidable fore and aft. However, the use of such a simple hatch cover provides limited access to the cabin and normally makes it difficult for a person to enter the cabin or leave the cabin.

In an effort to overcome this difficulty, it has been known to employ the use of a separate canopy. The movable hatch cover is mounted within an enlarged canopy with the canopy being adapted to cover a larger sized access opening. The canopy is to then be movable upward in a spaced manner from the access opening which thereby gives a substantial increased amount of open area to provide for ease of movement through the access opening. However, the previously known type of canopy movement is effected through use of a pulley arrangement connected to a portion of the mast with the canopy being moved directly upward above the access opening. Because of the location of the canopy, the aft portion of the canopy can still readily contact a persons head during entry and exit from the cabin. Additionally, when in the open position, the canopy is not positively secured and therefore wobbles during use of the sailboat. Further, several different operations were required in order to move the canopy to the open position and it normally required two people.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The sailboat canopy structure of this invention is designed to overcome the above referred to difficulties. The canopy structure of this invention provides for easy entry and exit of a person through the access opening into the cabin of a sailboat.

The sailboat for which the canopy structure of this invention is designed is to be what is usually termed a smaller sized sailboat generally in the to foot range in length. This sailboat is to include an interior cabin with the access opening in the cabin being provided at the aft end of the cabin. The access opening includes a side portion and an upper portion. The side portion is closable with a simple cover that is completely detachable. The upper portion of the access opening is to be closable by an enlarged canopy with the canopy including a slidable hatch cover mounted therein. The canopy is to be pivotally attached to the wall of the cabin by the means of four spaced apart rods. The pivoting action of the canopy from the closed position to the open position is forward and upward. When the canopy is in the open position, it comes into contact with the main mast of the sailboat. Fastening means is attached to the mast and is to be connected between the canopy and the mast to retain the canopy in the open position. When in the open position, the hatch cover located upon the canopy can be also moved forward to provide an access area into the cabin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view of a sailboat in which the canopy structure of this invention is employed;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the canopy structure of this invention taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the hatch cover which is located upon the canopy in the open position;

FIG. 4 is a top view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the canopy connected to the mast of the sailboat;

FIG. 5 is a side view taken along 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 2 showing in more detail the canopy and hatch cover structure;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 4 and showing in more detail the connection between the mast and the canopy; and

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional top view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SHOWN EMBODIMENT Referring particularly to the drawings, there is shown a sailboat 20 which is generally constructed of a hull 22, an interior cabin 24, an access opening 26 into the cabin, a top 28 to cover a portion of the interior cabin 24, a mast 30 to which is to be connected a sail 32. The access opening 26 includes an upper portion 34 and a lower (or aft) portion 36. The access opening 26 is provided through the top 28. The lower portion 36 is to be closable by a door 38 which is to be completely detachable from the top 28 and placed, when removed, in another area of the sailboat 20. Surrounding the upper portion 34 of the access opening 26 is a peripheral ledge 40. The ledge 40 is formed as an integral extension of the top 28.

The downwardperipheral edge 44 of canopy 42 is adapted to be in contact with the ledge 40 and substantially cover the upper portion 34 of the access opening 26.

Four in number of rods 46 are pivotally connected to the wall of the interior cabin 24 adajcent the ledge 40. Each rod 46 includes an aperture in one end thereof adapted to permit insertion of a bolt type of fastener 50. A spacer 52 is to 'be located about the bolt 50 in between the rod 46 and the ledge 40. The bolt 50 is to be threaded within an insert 54 which is fixedly mounted within the wall of the cabin 24.

The upper end of each of the rods 46 is pivotally connected to a pivot pin 56 through a bifurcated element 58. The pivot pin 56 is prevented from being removed from the element 58 by means of a cotter pin 60.

The apex portion of the bifurcated element 58 is enlarged to form a flat plate 62. Each of the plates 62, there being four in number, is fixedly secured by appropriate fasteners 64 to the underneath side of the canopy 42.

Located within thefore edge of the canopy 42 is a recess 66. The placement of each of the rods 46 is so that when the canopy 42 is in the open position, the mast 30 of the sailboat is located within the recess 66. The mast 30, at its lower end thereof, has a mounting pin 70 extending therethrough. The pin 70 is to be located rates the legs 82 and 84. Leg 84 is extended to form an extension 90. A bolt fastener 92 is threadedly mounted within aperture 94 of the extension 90. Adjacent the head 96 of the bolt 92 is located a knob 98. The leg 84 and extension 90 are formed basically cylindrical in configuration. The leg 84 and the extension 90 are to cooperate in a loose fitting manner within groove 78 and be slidable therein.

Formed within the canopy 42 is a U-shaped opening 100. The sides of the opening 100 are formed into upstanding members 102 and 104. Member 102 is to establish a close-fitting but sliding relationship with a groove 106 formed within hatch cover 108. In a similar manner, ledge 104 is to establish a close-fitting but sliding relationship with a groove 1 formed within hatch cover 108. A guide bar 1 12 is fixedly secured upon the upper surface of the canopy 42 andlocated adjacent the upstanding member 104. The lateral edges of the hatch cover 108 is formed into lips 120 and 122. Lip 120 is to slidingly cooperate within slot 1 16 which is located within guide bar 112. Lip 122 is to slidingly cooperate within slot 1 18 which is located within a guide bar 114. Guide bar 114 is mounted upon the upper surface of the canopy 42 adjacent the upstanding member 102.

The operation of the canopy of this invention is as follows: It will be presumed that the canopy 42 is in the closed position not permitting access into the interior cabin 24. An appropriate locking mechanism is connectable between the hatch cover 108 and the door 38. in order to gain access to the interior cabin 24, the locking mechanism connecting the hatch cover 108 and the door 38 is unlatched and the door 38 is then removed. The operator then slides forwardly the hatch cover 108 with respect to the canopy 42. The operator then exerts a manual upward pushing force against the canopy 42 which causes the canopy 42 to be pivoted upwardly and forwardly by means of the rods 46. The forward movement of the canopy 42 is continued until the mast 68 is located within the recess 66. The operator then moves the leg 84 and its connected extension 90 of the locking mechanism 80 through the groove 78 until the edge 44 of the canopy 42 cooperates within the slot 88. The operator then rotates the bolt 92 by means of knob 98 forcing the extension 90into frictional engagement with the walls of the groove 78. As a result, the canopy 42 is fixedly retained in the open position and movement of such to the closed position is now prevented. With the canopy 42 in the open position and the hatch cover 108 moved forwardly, convenient access to the interior cabin 24 is provided.

What is claimed as new in support of Letters Patent 1. In combination with a sailboat which has an interior cabin, said cabin being substantially closed by walls, and having a top access opening, the improvement comprising:

a canopy adapted to cover said access opening, said canopy connected by a first means to said walls and being pivotally movable between an openposition spaced from said access opening and a closed position covering said access opening;

said first means comprising a plurality of spaced apart rods pivotally connected to both said canopy and said walls, the movement of said canopy from said closed position to said open position results in said canopy being pivoted upward and forward with respect to said cabin;

said saiboat having a mast connected to said sailboat forward of said access opening, said canopy having a forward portion in contact with said mast when said canopy is in said open position; and

second means comprising a rigid link connected between said mast and said forward portion of said canopy to maintain said canopy in the open position.

2. The combination as defined in claim 1;

said rods being four in number and connected to two spaced locations on each side of said canopy, said rods each having a fixed length such that said can opy is in the desired attitude when reaching said forward, open position.

3. The combination as defined in claim 1; said rigid link being slidably mounted on said mast for movement into a position for connecting with said forward portion, and fastening means for fixing the position of said link on said mast when said link is in said position for connection with said forward portion.

4. In combination with a sailboat which has an interior cabin, said cabin being substantially closed by walls, an access opening formed through said walls into said cabin, the improvement comprising:

a canopy adapted to cover the upper portion of said access opening, said canopy connected by a first means to said walls and being pivotally movable between an open position spaced from said access opening and a closed position covering the upper portion of said access opening;

said' first means comprising a plurality of spaced apart rods pivotally connected to both said canopy and said walls, said rods being four in number, the movement of said canopy from said closed position to said open position results in said canopy being pivoted upward and forward with respect to said cabin;

said sailboat having a mast connected to said sailboat forward of said access opening, when said canopy is in said open position said canopy to contact said mast;

second means connected between said mast and said canopy to maintain said canopy in the open position;

said second means including a longitudinal groove formed along the aft end of said mast, a U-shaped fastener having a pair of spaced apart legs separated by a slot, one of the legs of said fastener to cooperate within said groove in said mast and be slidable therein, said canopy having a downward extending peripheral edge, with said canopy in said open position said downward peripheral edge of 5. The combination as defined in claim 4 wherein said second means includes:

said canopy having a recess formed therein, when 6 said canopy is in said open position said mast to extend within said recess. 6. The combination as defined in claim 4 including:

said canopy includes a hatch cover, said hatch cover being slidably mounted upon said canopy between a forward position and an aft position.

Disclaimer 3,805,? 24.-F1'amk W. Butler, Westlake Village, Calif. SAILBOAT CANOPY APPARATUS. Patent dated Apr. 23, 1974:. Disclaimer filed May 9 1977, by the inventor.

Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 1 and 2 of said patent.

[Oficial Gazette July 26, 1977.] 

1. In combination with a sailboat which has an interior cabin, said cabin being substantially closed by walls, and having a top access opening, the improvement comprising: a canopy adapted to cover said access opening, said canopy connected by a first means to said walls and being pivotally movable between an open position spaced from said access opening and a closed position covering said access opening; said first means comprising a plurality of spaced apart rods pivotally connected to both said canopy and said walls, the movement of said canopy from said closed position to said open position results in said canopy being pivoted upward and forward with respect to said cabin; said saiboat having a mast connected to said sailboat forward of said access opening, said canopy having a forward portion in contact with said mast when said canopy is in said open position; and second means comprising a rigid link connected between said mast and said forward porTion of said canopy to maintain said canopy in the open position.
 2. The combination as defined in claim 1; said rods being four in number and connected to two spaced locations on each side of said canopy, said rods each having a fixed length such that said canopy is in the desired attitude when reaching said forward, open position.
 3. The combination as defined in claim 1; said rigid link being slidably mounted on said mast for movement into a position for connecting with said forward portion, and fastening means for fixing the position of said link on said mast when said link is in said position for connection with said forward portion.
 4. In combination with a sailboat which has an interior cabin, said cabin being substantially closed by walls, an access opening formed through said walls into said cabin, the improvement comprising: a canopy adapted to cover the upper portion of said access opening, said canopy connected by a first means to said walls and being pivotally movable between an open position spaced from said access opening and a closed position covering the upper portion of said access opening; said first means comprising a plurality of spaced apart rods pivotally connected to both said canopy and said walls, said rods being four in number, the movement of said canopy from said closed position to said open position results in said canopy being pivoted upward and forward with respect to said cabin; said sailboat having a mast connected to said sailboat forward of said access opening, when said canopy is in said open position said canopy to contact said mast; second means connected between said mast and said canopy to maintain said canopy in the open position; said second means including a longitudinal groove formed along the aft end of said mast, a U-shaped fastener having a pair of spaced apart legs separated by a slot, one of the legs of said fastener to cooperate within said groove in said mast and be slidable therein, said canopy having a downward extending peripheral edge, with said canopy in said open position said downward peripheral edge of said canopy to extend within said slot of said fastener thereby preventing movement of said canopy to said closed position, said fastener including third means to be movable within said groove of said mast to frictionally bind said fastener to said mast.
 5. The combination as defined in claim 4 wherein said second means includes: said canopy having a recess formed therein, when said canopy is in said open position said mast to extend within said recess.
 6. The combination as defined in claim 4 including: said canopy includes a hatch cover, said hatch cover being slidably mounted upon said canopy between a forward position and an aft position. 